Quantcast

Marriage Equality Now One Vote Short In State Senate

201106_skelosAP.jpg
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos talks to reporters after the Republican's closed door conference on marriage equality (AP).

Despite objections from the clergy, the march to marriage equality in New York goes on. The State Assembly, which has passed gay marriage measures in the past, has agreed to vote on Governor Cuomo's Marriage Equality Bill this afternoon now that Cuomo has sent a "message of necessity" (which was, uh, necessary since the bill was only introduced yesterday and the legislative session ends Monday). In the meantime Republicans debated the bill behind closed doors today for four hours, right after another GOP Senator flipped on the matter. It is thought that the State Senate is now just one vote shy of bringing Marriage Equality to the Empire State—and in the end it could all come down to Staten Island!

Despite the fact that Cuomo's bill has religious exemptions written in to it, religion seems to be in many of the wavering pol's minds (you can see a full list of Senators thought to be on the fence, and how to contact them, right here). “I think one of the hallmark principles of this country is respect for the faiths of religion in this country and I think that needs to be preserved. I think there are issues that are outstanding in this legislation with respect to this issue," Staten Island Senator Andrew Lanza (who is thought to be a swing vote this round) told reporters after the GOP's meeting today. "If nothing else, we are a country that protects religion freedom and that must be embody in any legislation that comes to the floor for a vote in this Senate."

Before Lanza was saying his piece, Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos told the crowd that the extra-long meeting was

a tremendous conference, a thoughtful conference discussing the issue of marriage equality. Discussions are going to continue tomorrow...The issue has not been resolved. I’m respecting the decision of the conference. Once its made. The conference has asked me to keep the confidence at this point, which is what I intend to do. That’s my responsibility as the leader, and we will continue to conference the issue tomorrow. We haven’t resolved anything other than that we’re going to continue our conference.

As New Yorkers wait for the Republicans to finish conferencing and set a date for a vote, the lobbying for and against the issue goes on. Continuing its video series for gay marriage, the New Yorkers United for Marriage today released a non-celebrity clip, but an effective one nonetheless. Meet Edward Hinz. 70 years ago he fought in World War II and today he is fighting for his grandson's right to marry in New York. If the Greatest Generation gets it... maybe the GOP can too?


Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

Comments [rss]

  • gokhan yıldırım

    £

    Araç Giydirme adı üstünde araçların üzerine yapılan reklam uygulamasıdır. Araç Giydirme kelimesi halk arasında Araç Üstü Reklam veya Araba Giydirme olarakta kullanılır. Araç Giydirme; Cast Folyo diye isimlendirilen yapışkanlı PVC ile yapılır. Bu yapışkanlı PVC Cast Folyo’nun kalınlığı 0.11 – 0.13mm. aralığındadır. Cast Folyo’nun çok ince olmasının sebebi;


    Araç Giydirme işlemi yapılırken, Aracın cam kanallarının içine ve oluklara rahatça esneterek yapışması içindir. Bu işlem profesyonel Araç Giydirme Ustaları tarafından yapılmalıdır.


  • thingsarejejune

    i love that the majority of people who constantly espouse this "marriage is sacred" bull are the ones tuning into the bachelor/ette every week.

  • politicians seem to purposefully forget about separation between church and state. one of the core foundations this country was built upon. your biased religious opinion on gay rights and most notably gay marriage are irrelevant; I.E., your morals are irrelevant. when it comes to the question at hand, should gays have the same rights as other "normal" human beings including the right to marry the answer should always be YES. doing otherwise would once again prove that equality somehow only pertains to those who follow christian, muslim, judeo theologies and let us not forget social norms. which when asked no one can seem to give a straight forward answer so then again what is normal? lets stop the WASP plutocratic religious bullshit and get some REAL bureaucracy done.

  • Can't wait for this marriage status to be legalized, so we can move on to more important things! Everyone should be able to marry the person they love, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion and whatever other means of classification you want to use to keep society split up (as long as they can consent).

    Marriage isn't some sacred thing, as recent marriages show - what with divorces, cheating, swinging and sexting. It's importance varies from religion to culture, while one may see it as a sacred bond, another may see it more as a business transaction. So the sacred issue is a joke, especially when it comes from the government which is not supposed to take any sides in religious matters when it comes to laws. Saying it's against nature is a joke, since we've seen it in multiple species when there is overpopulation of one species in one environment (gee, like humans in cities).

    The ability of the government to performs marriages should've been allowed for gays a long time ago or none at all for anyone, since that's the only way equality for both can exist. It would've been less stressful if the government was just limited to Civil Unions for all, and if you wanted a Marriage to get a certificate from your sponsoring religious/cultural institution. A little more paperwork perhaps, but it removes one smokescreen for politicians to hide behind if they don't have other things to address... like lack of funds for better law enforcement, education, infrastructure replacements/repairs and etc.

    I don't care what you and your loved one does behind your front door, just enjoy one another and be safe. I'm not telling you how to love your partner, whether they be male, female, eunach or hermaphrodite. Just don't tell me how to love my g/f or wife, as I give you the same respect.

  • Christopher Havens

    we have the votes 

  • jambolino

    cmon marriage is a joke.... just like getting your dad a card on father's day...

    do you need the church, or court, to tell you that your relationship is real. you dont love each other more after getting married ... you realize that ending the relationship becomes more difficult.

    gays should have the right because it makes sense for them to have it. 'protecting the sanctity' is a joke, the divorce rates show there is no importance in getting married. banning gay marriage is simply prejudice and bias.

    /hops off the soapbox

  • I'm not sure what's going on, but the link in the story has the Redskins at 105. Nothing to be proud of, but not second worst.
    Tabela

  • robingee

    Come on, suck it up! Stick the Gay Agenda down everyone's throats and make it possible for us to marry dogs! Jesus and God and the Bible!

    Did I cover it? GO GAYS!

  • Guest

    you forgot that Muslims will laugh at us like we're not the cool kids anymore and then western civilization will come tumbling down like that ancient wall of Jericho.

  • robingee

    So it goes: Gay Marriage -> Socialism -> Nazis -> Sharia Law -> Armageddon. Cool.

  • edgie168
  • Mad Joy

    For anyone who wants to call their Senators, the people to contact are:

    - Dean Skelos (as the Majority Leader, he can make sure a vote happens)- The blog Towleroad has a list of swing votes to call (including Lanza of Staten Island, and Flanagan and Hannon from Long Island): http://www.towleroad.com/2011/...

  • Gothamist_Cynic

    If this passes, it will be the only good thing the GOP has done.

  • hills35

    They claim that gay marriage is supported by the majority of NYers. If that were true, then they would call for a referendum. It would be good PR and it's more democratic. I say let the people decide this issue rather than having a group of blood thirsty and pandering politicians shove it down our throats.

  • robingee

    Always with the "down our throats" - LOL

  • Guest

    a guy can dream can't he?

  • Gepap

    Our State constitution does not do referrendums, and thank goodness for that. Minority rights should never be contingent on majority opinion.

  • hills35

    Well, it's coming. Here's the link
    http://www.nysenate.gov/video/...

    and i can't wait til we vote to abolish the Gay Marriage Law that they will pass this week.

    Here's a quote from Dean Skelos, Majority Leader of the Senate.

    “Initiative and referendum are powerful reform measures that give people the ability to directly decide on ideas that have strong public support, yet have not been acted on by their governments. We should not be discouraging better ways in which to engage the public, but rather making it easier to connect with voters interested in building a better New York.”

  • Gepap

    HAHAHAHAHA

    well, you will likely die before you ever get to a referendum - I know, I work in the actual legislature. Sucker!

  • hills35

    As what? a ballgirl?

blog comments powered by Disqus

send a tip

tips@gothamist.com